Aeroplane



Get. 29, 1935. FRANZEN 2,018,889

AEROPLANE Filed Feb. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Oct. 29, 1935.N, FRANZEN 2,018,889

AEROPLANE Filed Feb. 14, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet 2 I n'uentorJYZZohawflwzzezz Oct. 29, 1935.

N. FRANZEN AEROPLANE Filed Feb. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Oct.29, 1935.

N, FRANZEN AEROPLANE Filed Feb. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Further theinvention has' reference to an Patented Oct. 29, 1935 3 Claims.

This invention relates to certain improvements in aeroplanes and moreparticularly to aeroplanes embodying the helicopter principle ofvertical lift.

aeroplane provided with a dirigible motor which may be rotated from thevertical to the horizontal so that the same may be used either as ahelicopter engine or for flying in a horizontal direction.

An object of the invention is to provide improved supporting means forthe motor together with novel and eflicient means for locking the motorin either vertical or horizontal position, as well as means for swingingthe motor from the vertical to the horizontal or vice versa as desired.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l'isa side elevational view with the motor shown in verticalposition.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure; is a top plan view of one of the motor mount brackets.

Figure 4 is an elevational view taken at right angles to Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail view partly in section and partly in elevation.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view.

Figure 7 is a detail view taken the line 1-1 of Figure 2. z

Figure 8 is a detail view showing a handle guide member.

Figure 9 is a detail view taken substantially on the line 99 of Figure1.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary detail view partly in section and partly-inelevation showing a latch structure hereinafter more fully referred to.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral Ill indicates afragmentary portion of the fuselage of an aircraft.

7 In accordance with the present invention there is suitably locatedand-mounted on the top of the fuselage a dirigible motor II with whichis associated a screw propeller l2.

The improved mount for the motor ll consists of a pair of opposedsubstantially duplicate posts l3-- l3 which at their upper ends areprovided with integral bearings I4 and gear housings l5, suitable capsl6 being provided for said gear housings. Journalled in the bearings l4are hollow stub shafts l1 to the inner ends of which are secured forrotation therewith opposed porsubstantially on tions of a stream linecasing l8 providedfor the dirigible-motor ll.

Also secured on the ends of the stub shafts l1 within the gear'housingsor casings l6 are gears I9 that are in constant mesh with worms 20 pro-5 vided on the upper ends of shafts 2|. The shafts 2| extend throughtubular housings 22 formed integrally with the standards l3. Obviously,through the intermeshing gears l3 and 20 rotation' of the shafts 2| isimparted to the motor 10 casing I8 causing the motor to swing verticallyfrom a vertical to a horizontal position or vice versa as desired.

'- the rail 24 is provided with an integral rib 21. At

its rear end the motor casing I8 is provided with a projection l8 havinga channel or groove 28 that receives the rib 21 in a manner clearlyshown in Figure 5 whereby provision is made for guiding 25 the dirigiblemotor during its swinging movement and at the same time prevent unduelateral play or thrust of the motor.

For locking the motor in vertical position there is provided a latchmechanism which includes a 30 I housing 29 cast integrally with the foot26 of the guide member 24, and operating in the housing 29 is a springpressed-plunger 3|] urged outwardly of the housing 29 into positionrearwardly of the projection |8a through the medium of a coil 35 spring3| disposed about the stem 32 of the plunger 3|. Connected with the freeend of the stem 32 is one end of a cable 33 trained over a merges intoan enlarged socket 36 that is adapted toreceive partially the projectionIlla on the 45 motor casing l8. Projectible into the socket 36 from thehousing 35- Ba locking bolt or plunger 31 urged outwardly through themedium of a spring 38 disposed about the stem 39 of the plunger 31.Connected to one end of the stem 39 50.

and 43 and are suitably secured to one end of an 55 in a substantiallytubular guide45 secured to and depending from the ceiling of thefuselage as best shown in Figures 4 and 8. Obviously by pullingdownwardly on the handle 44 the latch members 30 and 31 are retractedthus releasing the motor so that the latter may be swung in a verticalplane to either the horizontal or vertical position as desired.

For rotating the motor there is provided internally of the fuselage andon one end of one of-the shafts 2| a hand wheel 46, and power istransmitted from said one shaft 2| to the other shaft 2| through themedium of a shaft 41 journalled in suitable bearings 48 suspended fromthe ceiling of the fuselage l and connected with the shafts 2| throughthe medium of bevel gearing 49. Obviously, by turning the hand wheel 46shafts 2| will be caused to simultaneously rotate to thereby swing themotor to the desired position.

For feeding oil and fuel, such as gasoline or the like to the motorthere are provided pipes 50 and 5| respectively, these pipes having endportions extending into the gear casing l5 and through the stub shaftsI'I into the casing l8.

If desired, and as shown, the rear standard 23 is suitably braced byrods 52.

It will also be understood that arranged internally of the casing I8 maybe an auxiliary tank for fuel, oil or the like, suitable means (notshown) being provided for access to such reserve tank.

Also and in actual :practice, it is contemplated to house the standardsI3 and 23, together with their associated parts in casing of stream lincontour.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In an aeroplane having a motor and a pro- I 2,018,839 operatinghandle 44 the stem of which operates peller driven thereby, means formounting said motor for swinging movement, a fixed arcuate guideprovided with a rib, said guide at its respective opposite ends beingprovided with integral housings and stop members arranged in operativepositions to said housings, said motor having a casing provided with abifurcated projection engaging the rib of said arcuate guide, and springprojected latch members having a working fit in said housings andrespectively 00- operable with respective stops and the said projectionof the motor casing for holding said motor against a casual swingingmovement.

2. In an aeroplane having a motor and a propeller driven thereby, a pairof opposed standards between which said motor is mounted for verticalswinging movement, a fixed arcuate guide provided at its respectiveopposite ends with an integral housing,a spring projected latch member Ihaving a sliding fit in each housing, and said motor having an integralprojection engaging said guide, and cooperable with said latch members,for securing the motor in either a horizontal or a vertical position,optionally.

. positions and mechanisms connected with said latch members forsimultaneously retracting said latch members to release the motor.

NICHOLAUS FRANZEN.

